WELCOMING, CELEBRATING & REMEMBERING 2012 in SOUTHAMPTON

In 2012 Southampton is hosting a number of significant events, celebrations and remembrance. The city is perfectly placed in offering a wealth of attractions, heritage and things to do or as a base to explore the delights of Hampshire. We are focused on ensuring all visitors to the city have a great stay with us and our city businesses are dedicated to proactively training hotel staff, restaurant staff, taxi drivers and retailers to help ensure this happens and that we give a great welcome to our UK and international visitors. You can get to the city in a little over 1 hour from London and Heathrow.

Key events in and around Southampton for 2012 (for a full list of all events and more information visit our events page)

This page is designed to give you information about where to stay, what to do and see, and there is a link to the current visitors online pocket guide packed with information about restaurants, tourist attractions, shopping and a map.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATION

We have a team available in the conference bureau who would be happy to assist with your accommodation enquiry, please call us on 0845 226 9944 or email Charlotte@destinationsouthampton.com or complete the on line accommodation booking form.

Hotels offering great rates include:

Hotel	Rates from	Parking	Stars	Leisure	Distance to City
Chilworth Manor	From £69 B&B	On site FREE		Spa, gym & swim	4.5 miles
De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel	From £149 B&B	On site charged		Spa, gym & swim	City
Highfield House Hotel	From £69 B&B	On site FREE		Not on site	3 miles
Hilton	From £99 B&B	On site charged		Spa, gym & swim	4 miles
Holiday Inn Eastleigh	From £90 B&B	On site FREE		Spa, gym & swim	7 miles
Holiday Inn Express Southampton M27 J7	From £89 B&B	On site FREE		Not on site	5.5 miles
Holiday Inn Southampton	From £79 B&B	On site FREE		Spa, gym & swim	City
Holiday Inn Winchester	From £79 B&B	On site FREE		Not on site	15 miles
Holiday Inn Express Southampton West	From £49 B&B	On site FREE		Not on site	3 miles
Jurys Inn	From £65 B&B	On site charged		Not on site	City
Lainston House	From £150 RO	On site FREE		Tennis, croquet & gym	16 miles
Legacy Botleigh Grange Hotel & Spa	From £83 B&B	On site FREE		Spa, gym, Swim	6 miles
Macdonald Botley Park	From £87 B&B	On site FREE		Spa, swim & golf	8 miles
Mercure Dolphin Hotel	From £75 B&B	On site charged		Not on site	City
Novotel	From £79 B&B	On site charged		Spa, gym & swim	City
Solent Hotel & Spa	From £107 B&B	On site Free		Spa, gym & swim	9 miles
Star Hotel	From £39-£80 B&B	On site charged		Not on site	City
White Star Hotel	From £89 B&B	Pay & Display		Not on site	City

Please note above hotels and rates are subject to availability, and vary depending on your arrival date.

WHAT TO DO AND SEE

For more information about what to do and see in and around the city visit www.visit-southampton.co.uk or www.discoversouthampton.co.uk

PERSONALISED TOURS

For personalized tours of the city and region by car contact www.discoverthesouth.co.uk or for tours of the city on foot please see information at www.stga.org.uk

Links and tips to assist with your stay:

	Train times and fares can be found at www.nationalrail.co.uk
	Contact details for Southampton Airport can be found at www.southamptonairport.com
	We strongly recommend that you pre-book your taxi if transfers are not included as the ques for returning passengers can be very long, we recommend you book West Quay Cars on +44 023 8099 9999 or www.westquaycars.com
	Tours of the south including Hampshire, Wiltshire, London and more can be tailor made and for as little as one person up to larger groups www.discoverthesouth.co.uk will collect you in one of their stylish comfortable vehicles and show you the sites with a guide/driver.
	There are many visitor attractions in the area see www.hampshiretopattractions.co.uk
	Our local theatre has an excellent reputation for West End productions www.mayflower.org.uk
	Southampton is a top retail destination, our largest shopping centre has everything under one roof including John Lewis and M&S www.west-quay.co.uk
	Our hotels have great restaurants and bars, however if you decide not to dine in your hotel and you would like to visit one of our restaurants, there is information within the pocket guide we also recommend the following privately owned restaurants: www.deliciousdining.co.uk our personal favourites in the group are Banana Wharf which is set in the Ocean Village Marina, and Dock Gate 4 which is in the old White Star Building and was the hotel and ballroom used by guests of the White Star Line in the early 1900's both are located in the city centre. www.whitestartavern.co.uk is on the very cosmopolitan Oxford Street, and www.cantinarestaurants.com is in the thriving lively Bedford Place area of the city.
	Take a guided walk of the city on foot with the Southampton Tour Guides If there isn't a tour on the date you are in town the association will arrange a private tour for a very reasonable fee, their passion is to show you the city.